Freeport Baths
For those with delicate sensibilities, there are few places in Freeport to scrub off the salt of the sea, wipe down the traces of that last encounter in an alley, and soak away one’s cares and concerns. Freeport stinks, it’s true; however, most people eventually get tired of their own curious odors, and when they do, Krovz and her assistants are ready to serve.
Architecture
There are two separate public baths and about a dozen private baths (reservations required). The cheapest are in the East Bath, while the West Bath offers a relaxing environment and has drinks and massages available for additional fees. These private baths are much pricier, and there’s no limit on how much they can cost, the final price depending entirely on the other services requested. For the right price, a private bath can turn into a catered party with attendants, musicians, and discreet companionship.
History
The Baths are one of Freeport’s oldest bathhouses (and one of the few in the Old City). Established during the days of Drac and Francisco, this place languished for generations as an oddity, a novelty affordable only for Freeport’s elite. In fact, all sorts of whispers and rumors grew up around this place. Some claimed strange men with stranger habits haunted the waters, lying in wait to give the bathers a pinch where they least wanted or expected it. Others said the waters were foul and that those who spent time in them were bound to find worms in their stool. Despite the rumors and superstitions, the Baths somehow survived long enough for an enterprising Dwarf matron named Krovz to purchase it.
From out of nowhere, Krovz took charge and cleaned the place up; she kicked out the lascivious folks who used the place to make filthy deals in the saunas, and thus turned the business around. Better yet, she put her engineering skills to good use and refurbished and renovated the place in a matter of months. She devised a system of coal-fired boilers and steam pipes to offer hot baths for the first time. The luxury of a hot soak was a novelty to the cutthroats and freebooters of the port but one they took to with great pleasure.
Since Krovz took ownership, the sordid history of Freeport’s Baths has become a thing of the past. Attorneys come here between sessions to negotiate deals and meet new clients. Even some members of the Captains' Council enjoy the atmosphere and indulge in the comforts only such a place can offer. And much to the amazement of the locals, it seems Krovz actually runs an honest business that provides no more than it purports.
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